Cycle News

IN THE WIND P44 Carlin Dunne's Mother Releases Statement R omie Gallardo, mother to the late Carlin Dunne, has released a statement paying tribute to the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb Champion, race organizers, Ducati and the Spider Grips team with whom Carlin was competing at this year's event. Describing her son as "everyone's friend," Romie goes on to weigh in on the debate surrounding motorcycle competition at Pikes Peak, which has come in for scru- tiny following Dunne's fatal accident on June 30. "It's been two weeks now since my son left us," the statement reads. "In my heart, I knew the instant that Car- lin's time did not register in the fourth and final section of the race that I'd lost my baby boy (yes, at 36 he was still my baby boy). Dear Lord, take care of my boy; he is truly in your hands now. "From the moment of his crash, the entire Pikes Peak International Hill Climb officials handled the situation with my full support. They exhibited the utmost privacy, respect and dignity, and continue their steadfast support today. Media was instantly shut down, and an outpouring of love and support was extended from the moment that I arrived in Colorado Springs. Megan Leatham, Execu- tive Director of The Pikes Peak International Hillclimb, Tom Osborne, Chairman of the Board of The Broadmoor Pikes Peak International Hillclimb, Paul and Becca Liv- ingston, Owners of Spridergrips, Jason Chinnock, CEO Ducati of North America and Ducati Motor in Bologna, Italy, all took care of me, protected me, and more impor- tantly protected my son. I will forever be grateful. "Carlin was beloved by all who knew him. He was ev- eryone's friend. Whether playing the role of little brother, big brother, son or best friend. From a young age, I shared him with the world because I knew he was bigger than me, bigger than our mother-son bond. He fiercely pursued his passions with my full blessing and complete support. He held the security and confidence of know- ing, 'Mom will take care of the homestead.' He was never reckless in action or deed. I trusted him implicitly. Many years ago, he evolved beyond me. The funny thing is, Carlin never thought of himself as a 'big deal.' I did, but I was 'just the mom.' He still did his own laundry, picked up Sonny's dog poop. He always said, 'please' and 'thank you.' "Carlin loved the mountain. She challenged and en- ticed him, calling him back again and again. He gave her due respect. He was fully aware of her ability to 'take.' With that being said, I know for a fact that he would not want the motorcycle program to end. He would want us to learn from this tragedy. He would encourage the of- ficial accident reconstruction authorities to do what they are trained to do, and for the race officials to implement additional safety precautions required. "Three days after Carlin's crash, a reporter asked me, 'How do you feel about the race now?' To which I replied, 'The same way I felt on June 29, the day before he crashed.' All his life, I've known that losing him was a possibility. We went into this with eyes-wide-open. We were aware of the flip side of this sport. I was committed to him and his dreams. He was doing what he loved. So, who are we to take away other racers' dreams of racing Pikes Peak International Hill Climb? "In closing, I would like to give a massive worldwide thank you to all of Carlin's extended family and friends near and far! Our family is humbled beyond words. All of your love, support, stories, videos and pictures without a doubt have helped me—and continue to help me. I am truly touched by your love and the ways in which you honor my son. Carlin would have been in awe at all the attention. He would have loved everyone coming together in harmony. He truly lives on in each and every one of us. "Rest easy baby boy; we've got this. We've got Sonny. As you told your little sister many years ago, 'Just keep pedaling."' That's what we are going to do—just keep pedaling. I'll see you when I get there." A GoFundMe account has been set up to help Dunne's mother during this time, which you can find here. CN Carlin Dunne's mother, Romie, released a statement on her son's fatal accident.

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